System of remote control for electric motors



Ju ne Z4, 1930.

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I Eccerl "fr-1e ELLE MAYER-DELARU SYSTEM OF REMOTE CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Filed June 19, 1925 J. ALTMAYERv SURNAMED ALT Patented-June 24, 1930 UNITED STATS PATENT FFIQE JEAN ALTMAYER, SURNAMIED ALTMAYER-DELAR'UEL LE, 0F ST.-GERMAlN-EN-LAYE,-

. FRANCE SYSTEM' 0]? REMOTE CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Application filed June 19, 1925, Serial No. 38,342, and in France July 3, 1924.

This invention consists in a device for the distant control of electric motors, in general, by means of only two control wires. This system is particularly applicable to the control of motors for electric railways, as herein specifically described. It is obvious however, that the system is capable of other applications. In the special case of electric railways, but a single control wire is necessary, the rail being used as second.

. employ multiple motor units owing to the considerable cost of equipment and to the relatively prolonged periods during which the rolling stock employed for the transport of freight are immobilized. Locomotives will therefore be. preferred for such uses. The increase of the length of the train, by placing one or more locomotives at the head of the train is limited by the breaking of couplings. It will therefore be necessary to insert one ormore locomotives in the length of the train. For reasons of security and economy of staff, these locomo ives must be controlled by the motorman in the locomotive placed ahead. This result can be obtained with the system described hereinafter. This system has the additional advantage of simplicity since it requires the installation of only a single control wire on thecars and that it permits of strong and durable equipment on locomotives or on motor coaches.

' The invention is characterized b a con-.

switches, each corresponding respectively to the controller of each of the driving units; the secondary switches thus take a position corresponding to that of the control switch. Finally, the actuation' of the secondary switches determine the corresponding actuation of the controllers so that the operation of the control switch permits the actuation of all the controllers by means of a single control circuit.

The modifications of the current are for instance variations in voltage, or interruptions of current (impulses). The movement of the secondary switches is obtained by a motor, theoperation of which is controlled by a relay inserted in the control circuit. Finally, the secondary switches are preferably integral, with the controllers, or control only the rotation of the latter, which is produced by a source of energy different from that actuating the secondary switches.

The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example only, a specific embodiment of the invention.

Fig. l is a diagram of the entire installatlon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view taken on line 11-41. a

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view taken on line III-1H.

In the diagram of Fig. 1, reference number 1 designates a trolley, 2 is the line and T is the earth (rail). A resistance 3 is connectedto the trolley 1 and toearth and has branches or taps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,- to the number of 8 in the figure, but the number of which is variable according to requirements. 12. designates a controller which by its rotation about the axis A.A by means of the crank 13, brings the wire 14 (general control wire) successively in connection with the points 4, 5, 11 of resistance 3. At 16 a safety device opens the circuit of the resistance 3 when the motorman ceases to press upon the'push button 15. The connection of the wire 14 with the various points 4 to 11 is established by the series of contacts 17 to 24 of the controller For each position of the controller 12, a single contact from 17 to 24will come in contact with the. corre's ndin contact of the series 4-11, so that or eac position of 5 corresponding to the d fference of potential between each of the points 4 to 11 and earth. The wire 14 runs all along the train. In

. each locomotive (or motor coach) is established the following circuit: junction 25, wire 26, contact 28, reactance 27, wire 29, winding 30, wire 31, contacts 32. The contact 32 rubs on a rin 33 integral with a contact brush 33' Wl'llCl'l can come in engagement with a series of fixed contacts 34 to 41 separated by insulating keys to 49 as shown in Fig. 3, the ring being integral with a rotary controller 50. The contacts 34 to 41 are connected to different resistances 51 to 58. On the other hand, a condenser 59 is mounted between 31 and earth for absorbing the sparks at break at the rubbing contacts.

The switch 131 havin' an electromagnet 30, the function of whic is described later on, becomes operated when the windin of the electromagnet 30 is traversed by a given minimum current; it may also be operated by a higher current, but can not be operated by a smaller current.

The electromagnet 30' actuates a cook 60 which allows the compressed air contained in a tank 61 to enter into the cylinder 62 wherem moves a piston 63,-which causes the upward displacement of this piston 63. The

rod 64 of the piston 63 carries a joint 65 (through the medium of the connecting rod 66 and of the crank 67, the said crank having a suflicient weight to constitute an eccentric fly wheel, that is to say a fly wheel the center of gravity of which is not located on the geometrical axis of rotation). The movement of the iston 63 is transmitted to the shaft 68. I T e shaft 68 is rigid with the gear 69, which drives the gear by means of gearing. The axis of 70 is B-B. The gears 69 and 70 are such that when 69 effects a full revolution, 70 will rotate only a fraction of the circumference, i. e.

(in which n is the number of branches or taps on 3) and in the case herein described considered 1/9. In Fig. 1, eight positions of the controller in the circuit of the motors are employed to obtain complete starting. Eight taps have therefore been made on resistance 3 and in this case the ratio of the gears 69 and 70 will be 1/9, that is to say, or a full revolution of 69 about 0-0, 70 will rotate about B---B to the extent of 1/9. of a circumference. The cock 60 is provided with conical contact surfaces for automatically taking up the play. Aspring holds the position for closing the inlet pipe 7 and opening the exhaust p1pe 72 so that when 30 is insufliciently energized, the cook '60 will remain inosition for closing the inlet pipe andopenmg the. exhaust pipe. Thus, if the cock does not admit a suflicient quantity of air for causing the center of fgravity of a crank or fly wheel 67 on the sha t 68 to come above the axis of suspension CC, the fly wheel will come back without difiiculty to its starting position. This-occurs when the electromagnet 73, the function of which is described below, will open the circuit 25 to 34. The controller 50 is rigid with 70 and has the same axis B-B. The function of this controller is to obtain the required connections in the motor circuit for speeding.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the cook 60 admits compressed air into the cylinder 62 when 30 is ener ized, at the same time as it closes the air ex aust pipe 72. The air driven back in the space 93 escapes at 94, when the piston head ascends. When the latter moves down again, the air contained in the s ace 95 escapes through 72. When 30,is no lbnger energized, the admission of the air is closed and the exhaust opened. Cocks 98 and 99 allow the adjustment of the speed of movement of the iston head 64 and, consequently, the s eed o rotation of the controller 50. The e ectromagnet 30 is energized as long as the contact brush 33 is in-enga 'eme'nt with one of the contacts 34-41. However in order that the electromagnet 30 shall actuate the cock60, it is necessary that a minimum voltage should exist between its terminals, as previously stated, or in other words, it is necessary that a minimum current should pass' 4249. The length of these se ments can therefore be determined so as to ave a sufficient admission of air for brin ing the fly wheel 70 in the position of unsta le equilibrium, when it will, (because of its inertia) pass the critical position and will complete its rotation about CC because of its weight and'the action of the spring 93".. The speed of this rotation will be adjusted by adjusting the cocks 98 and 99.

On the other hand, the electromagnet 30 actuates a contact 131 which controls the circuit of an electromagnet 130. Referrin to Fig: 2, the electromagnet is rigid wit alate 132 rigidly mounted on the shaft B-B. he feeding of this electromagnet takes place throu h the two rings 133--134 on which rub t 0 contacts 135-136, one of which,

135, is connected to earth, and the other, 136,

to the wire 137 connected by 131 to the wire 29. The electromagnet 130 attracts its armature 138 which normally forms a hey between the plate 132 and the plate 133, rigid with the controller 50, loose on the shaft B--B. The energization of 130 does away therefore with thiskeying, and its deenen" 'lzation reestablishes it, as explained herematter, by the action of the spring 139 bearing against an abutment 140 of the plate 132. he operation of the device will be as follows:

If it is desired to start by hand, that is to say, if the motorman desires to graduate the speed of the traimhe will bring the controller 12 into the first position which is shown in Figure 1, thus putting the general control wire 14 at the voltage between l and earth, viz, at V volts, the selector being in the posh tion of rest.

The resistance 51 will be chosen so that V is the minimum necessary voltage for causing the cock 60 to operate. Besides, 131 is attracted so that the electromagnet 130 is deenergized and that the controller 50 is rigid with the shaft B-B. The shaft 68 will therefore rotate to the "extent of a tall revolution that is to say the controller 50 will rotate one ninth of a revolution. This brings the contact brush 33 opposite the resistance 51 and inserts it in the circuit 25-earth. The currentis interrupted in during a portion of the complete rotation ance 52 has been suitably chosen, the cook 60.

of 68. The electromagnet 130 is therefore energized, but it cannot attract its armature 138. The latter is, in the keyed osition and the plates 132 and'133 are rigi ly connected together and the friction thus efi'ected prevents unkeying, which can only take place when at rest. The circuit of 30 is reestablished when 52 is inserted in the circuit 25-34. It the resistance 52 has been chosen so that the voltage V is distinctly insufficient for causing 60'to operate, the controller will remain in its second position. However, in this position of rest, the energization' of 30, which is insuflicient for. actuating the cook 60, brought back by a spring, is nevertheless sufficient for opening 131, so that the electromagnet 130 is not energized.

If the controller 12 is now brought in the second position, the general control wire 1 1 will be put under tension at the potential between 5 and earth, viz; V If the resistwill operateagain,"causing theshaft 68 to elfedt a complete revolution, and causing the controller-50 to efiect an elementary rotation.

and "so on. By successivel bringing the controller opposite the note es 0:, b, c, d, e,

I f, g and h, the controller will be brought to positions in which the'contacts 4 to 11 are successively connected to the control wire 14. If now it is desired to start automatically,

the controller 12 will'be brought opposite the notch corresponding to. the require conthe electromagnet 30 will then be suficient for energizingthe electromagnet owing to the manner in which the resistance 52'has been chosen, as previously seen. The contnoller'bO will again efiect an elementary rotation and so on until it arrives to the position. No.- 6. At this moment the current which will pass through 30 will be too weak for energizing the electromagnet 30, and the controller 50 will therefore remain in this position The speed of operation will obviously depend on the volume of air admitted for lift ing thefpiston. This volume of air will be a function of theduration of admission of the air, th at'is to say, of the lengthof the seg inent's ]34e-41, and of their position. This till speed operation will also be a function of thef'ispeed of exhaust of the air (which is compressed by the piston during each of theupward and downward movements of the latter) via the cooks 98 and 99. The speed of. operation can therefore be adjusted by determining the length and the position of thejsegments 3H1 as well as the tension of the spring- 93, the adjustment being sub sequently rendered more precise by adjusting the cooks 98, 99 and 100. By a suitable adjustment, the rotation of the controller 50 will "be effected'with a certain slowing down, at "the endof each of the elementary rotations." A slight period of rest will take 'pl acefoiice this elementary rotation is effected'fwbefore ire-starting for another elementary' f rotation. In this 1 manner, each combination in the circuit of the motors will be efiected by the controller in a very positive. manner; a

lit thelnont-roller 12 is now brought back from thejposition 6 to the position 3, for inst'aiic'efthe voltage of the control wire 14 diminishes and the energization of 30 becoinesflinsfufiicient for maintaining the contact 31""1open. The electromagnet 130 is i eg! 13,3 issuppressed. At this moment, a spiral spring" 88 connected to the controller 50 brin s -the latter rearward until the contact brus "33puts the resistance 53 (position 3) in circuit. This resistance corresponds to the voltage'determined by the locationof 12,

ed in the circuit to be protected. If at the,

end of an elementary rotation of the controller 50, an overload takes lace in the driving circuit, the contact 28 is lifted, the circuit -earth is opened at 28. The electromagnet 30 being no longer energized, the cock 60 no longer operates, and thecontroller comes to rest. As soon as the current in the driving circuit comes back to normal, the contact 28 closes, 30 and act and the controller 50 ain efl'ects an elementary rotation. The unction of the electromagnet 73 is to moderate the action of the con- .troller, but the usual protectin relays in the driving circuit may neverthe em be used.

The drive for reverse running is obtained in the following manner, with reference to fn each locomotive or motor coach, the current feeding the motors p through a reversing switch operated by hand, then in an electro-pneumatic reversi device 101 0 rated at a distance from t e head cab. pon formation of the train, the hand operated reversing switch will be brought, to the position for forward running in each locomotive or motor coach. The reversing device 101 when operated ,is adapted to .reverse the connections made by the hand operated reversing switch. In order not to interfere with the general control reviously described, which operates with 'rect current, the valve 102 of the reversing device 101 will be actuated by energizing its electromagnet 103 with high frequency alternating current. For that purgise, a motor-generator set 104-105 ranched on the line 106 of the auxiliary apparatus (fans, compressors) through a switch 107 is mounted in each cab. The generator is connected, on the one hand, to earth and, on the other hand, to the general control wire 14 through a circuit com rising a condemer 108 and a switch 109. alternating current will pass through 108, will put 14 and, consequently, the circuit of the electromagnet 103, under no potential by thro h the condenser 110. The reactance 27 wi prevent the alternating current from circulating in the. circuit 25-33 and the condensers 108 and 110 will prevent the direct current from circulating in thecircuit of 103 and of 105.

versing switches of each locomotive or motor coach to the position corresponding to forward running, if the switch 107 is o n,onl forward runm cantake place. I he desires to run backward, he will close 107, thus starting the motor generator set 104-105. The valve 102 is mechanically constituted in the same way as the valve 60. The switch 109 allows of isolating the generator from 14.

The reversing device 101 comprises at111 a reversing drum. When the electromagnet 103 is not energized, the reversing drum is held in its normal nistic sprin The drivi device isarranged on one of t e bases 111 o the cylinder or on both, but in this case with, preferably, a single control valve 102. When the electromagnet 103 of the valve 102 is energized, 102 admits compressed air from the tank 61 into the conduit pipe 118. This rotates the reversing drum 111 connecting 114 through 112 to 117 and 115 to 116 through 118. Consequently the connections of the reversin switch 100 are reversed, resulting in bac ward running be' obtained. When the electromagnet 103 o the valve 102 is no 10 r energized, 102' allows air to acape t rough 121 and the reversing drum comes back .to its position of rest and reestablishes the connections, so that forward running is obtained. A switch 122 allows ition by anantagothe cabs not used to be disconnected from d the said motor and adapted to close the sai circuit on different resistances so that, its position corresponds at every'instance to small that of the control switcblzha controller, rigid withthe secondary swi a'clutch for engaging the said controller wi the motor, a spring acting in antagonism with the rotation of the controller under the action of the motor, an electromagnet for actuating this clutch, a contact arranged in the circuit of the said electromagnet and controlled by the preceding relay.

2. In a control system for eleetric'motors,

a control switch an-amnged in a le controlling circuit for p an; the and switch compressed air motor, a valve the said relay, a secondary switch actuated bythesaidmotorand adaptedtoclosethe said circuit on diflerent resistances so that I therein, when 1 ml. is 0pm vhariatiomgof vo a arranged in t e circui a is The motor-man having brought the re-ilupositioncorrespondsateveryinstunttol8 that of the control switch, a controller, rigid with the secondary switch, a clutch system for engaging the said controller with the motor, a sprlng acting in antagonism with 5 the rotation of the controller under the action of the motor, an electromagnet for actuating this clutch, a contact arranged in the circuit of the said electromagnet and controlled by the preceding relay, a device for m reversing the direction of the running of the main motors, a compressed air motor for actuating this reversing device, an elec- \tromagnet controlling the operation of this motor and means for feeding it with alter- -nating current.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JEAN ALTMAYER, Summer! ALTMAYER-DELARUELLE. 

